Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 75.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 74.5%
- Retention Rate
- 89.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $68,396
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $16,666
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 75.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $177/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $79,150 | $23,434 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $16,796 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,530 | $16,499 |
| Economics. | Master | $61,516 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $60,185 | $20,020 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research. | Master | $54,894 | $30,726 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $51,607 | $16,519 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $23,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $44,356 | $18,017 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $20,833 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $36,938 | $15,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $18,959 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate). | Bachelor | $34,704 | $17,883 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $16,703 |
Outcomes Overview
UCSC graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $16,666, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of about 25% based on their $68,396 median earnings after 10 years. Monthly loan payments of $177 represent roughly 3% of typical graduate income. The school's strong environmental science and computer science programs feed into California's thriving tech and sustainability sectors. Alumni like Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph demonstrate the creative industries many graduates pursue. With 91.5% employment rates and earnings that outpace the monthly debt obligations, UCSC delivers a strong return on investment, especially considering the relatively low debt burden compared to many four-year institutions.